Abstract

Background

Severe brain edema is observed in a number of patients suffering from subarachnoid
hemorrhage (SAH). Little is known about its pathogenesis and time-course in the first
hours after SAH. This study was performed to investigate the development of brain
edema and its correlation with brain perfusion after experimental SAH.

Results

After SAH, CPP and LCBF rapidly decreased. The decline of LCBF markedly exceeded the
decline of CPP and persisted until the end of the observation period. BWC continuously
increased. A significant correlation was observed between the BWC and the extent of
the perfusion deficit in animals sacrificed after 180 and 360 minutes.

Conclusions

The significant correlation with the perfusion deficit after SAH suggests that the
development of brain edema is related to the extent of ischemia and acute vasoconstriction
in the first hours after SAH.